Career center offers mock interviewing

The career center offers mock interviews allowing students and an interviewer to critique your interviewing skills during an hour-long session.

Mock interviewer Brittany Kaback said the session is beneficial for students who may be heading to career fair or just looking to improve their skills for potential employers.

Kaback said the session provides a real life simulation as students are expected to come in interview attire. The interview is also taped to provide feedback.

The interview lasts approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

“Then, we spend the rest of the session in playback, critiquing opportunities for improvement,” Kaback said.

Mock interviews are also fit to the interviewer’s major and interested employers.

“We try to cater the questions toward your major or industry,” Kaback said. “It’s good to come in with a company in mind or a job position.”

The career center also has packets available for specific majors or career opportunities.

Kaback said students should take advantage of the mock interviews more than once.

“I don’t think you can ever do enough practice for interviewing,” Kaback said. “I think anyone who is searching for a job should do it at least once, you never realize how unprepared you are for an interview until you sit through your first one.”

Senior Vincent Mancuso said he was nervous for the upcoming career fair, but his nerves were calmed after undergoing a mock interview at the career center. Mancuso said the career center gave him specific methods to utilize during an interview.

He said he felt unprepared going into last year’s career fair without practicing beforehand.

“I followed by the book last year, but that didn’t work out,” Mancuso said. “I’ve never been to an actual job interview, (it’s good) just to know what to expect.”

Mancuso, an electrical engineering major, hopes to meet with three to four potential employers on his visit to the career fair, but he said the process can be very intimidating for upcoming college graduates.

“They’re just sitting there judging you and no one likes to get judged,” Mancuso said.

Kaback offered some basic tips for those who are worried about the impression they leave on potential employers.

“You definitely want to watch using ‘umm’ when you are speaking formally,” Kaback said. “Also, it’s good to be prepared with stories, situations and experiences. The interviewer can tell when you’re thinking them up as you say them.”